The White Sox announced today that they have claimed infielder Jacob Amaya off waivers from the Astros. The latter club had designated him for assignment on the weekend. Infielder Nick Senzel was designated for assignment by the White Sox in a corresponding 40-man roster move for the claim of Amaya. Infielder Bryan Ramos has been recalled to take Senzel’s active roster spot. The Sox also recalled left-hander Sammy Peralta and optioned lefty Ky Bush.
Amaya, 25, has just five major league games and ten plate appearances but is now joining the fourth organization of his career. An 11th-round pick of the Dodgers, he was flipped to the Marlins in the January 2023 trade that sent infielder Miguel Rojas to Los Angeles. He spent just over a year in the Marlins’ system but was designated for assignment in April of 2024 before being flipped to the Astros for right-hander Valente Bellozo and cash considerations.
Prospect evaluators have long praised Amaya for his defense, but his bat has been more questionable, which is borne out by the numbers. In 450 minor league games from 2021 to the present, he has slashed .240/.335/.384 for a wRC+ of 86. His 12.3% walk rate in that time is strong but he hasn’t made a ton of impact when putting the bat on the ball.
Amaya can still be optioned for the rest of this year but will be out of options next year. He has mostly played shortstop but has also seen some time at second and third base. The rebuilding Sox don’t have a ton set in stone in their future infield. Nicky Lopez has appeared in 105 games for them this year but is hitting a tepid .240/.309/.293 for a wRC+ of 74. He could be retained via arbitration for next year but would be a due a raise on his $4.3MM salary and could be non-tendered. Paul DeJong was traded to the Royals. Yoán Moncada is in the final guaranteed season of his contract and club won’t have much interest in picking up his $25MM club option for 2025.
Perhaps that will get Amaya a chance to earn some playing time for the rebuilding club. Even if his bat doesn’t come around, having a glove-first infielder is a sensible move for a rebuilding team that will undoubtedly be giving plenty of chances to unproven pitchers in the future.
That same uncertainty is what opened a spot for Senzel. The White Sox signed him in the middle of July after he was released by the Nationals. He got 32 plate appearances with the Sox but hit just .100/.129/.133 in those. Those struggles have nudged him off the roster and the Sox will have to put him on waivers now that the trade deadline has passed.
The Nats signed him to a one-year, $2MM deal in the offseason after he was non-tendered by the Reds. He was designated for assignment by the Nats in July, when a trade was still possible, but he ended up released. Presumably, the interest hasn’t been raised during Senzel’s tenure with the White Sox, so he’s likely to end up a free agent again.
Though he was once a second overall pick and ten ten prospect in the sport, his bat hasn’t played at the major league level. He has over 1600 plate appearances to this point but has hit .232/.299/.363 in those for a wRC+ of 76.
The Nats are still on the hook for the majority of that $2MM salary. If another club is intrigued by Senzel’s past prospect pedigree, they could sign him and pay him only the prorated portion of the $740K major league minimum salary. That amount would be subtracted from what Washington pays.
burned an option of bush’s to get a look. not great for a team that will need as much future versatility as possible. slightly gratified as an angels fan, and ashamed of it but not enough to not admit it.
They had to add him to the 40 man soon anyway. He’s still got two more option years. If the White Sox end up being worried about his options in 2027 then he’s probably not panned out anyway.
I honestly don’t see the harm in burning an option. If anything he’s shown his stuff can play up here but needs to work on control.
Agreed. Now he gets to go into the off-season knowing better what he needs to do to succeed. He has a clearer idea of how good MLB hitters are and how good his control and command have to be. This could easily turn into a good thing for him if he’s willing to learn and put in the work.
Experience worth it, option schmoption
I would have waited until he figured out AAA hitters before bringing him up to figure out MLB hitters. Maybe they had no other options and have a good feel for his development.
Plus it doesn’t necessarily count as using an option if he gets added back soon in September when rosters expand.
But we dont need to burn an option by bringing up Sammy Peralta and his 88 mph fastballs.
I’m guessing Bush is coming up on an innings limit and he’s going back to AAA to ease into the off-season. Nastrini is probably getting called back up in a few days to take his rotation spot.
Probably the end of Senzel’s MLB career which was likely a couple years too long anyway. He gotta lotta rope for being the 2nd overall pick…
Couldn’t even get on the field with possibly the worst team in history. I think he only had 1 or 2 starts this month.
Yeah, I think there are now more than enough boxes checked for us to finally officially declare Nick Senzel a bust. That small contingent of Reds fans who’ve been in denial for years will finally have to wave the white flag.
Someone will give him a minor league invite to spring training. There is always an organization that thinks they can fix anyone. If not there’s always the KBO
With his draft position he should be set financially.
Good point Degaz, but wonder what Monez, Van Goiz and Renoiz think
bring back DeJong. DH
Musical Doorknobs.
Is that the latest alt rock group?
Describes the White Sox well enough I thought. If it’s not a group it should be. But I want the credit.
Looking like it’s all over for Nick Senzel
Senzel, Amaya…The Sox are a mess of interchangeable, incompetent parts.
Amaya looks like another infielder who can’t hit. This is SO White Sox.
I’m just waiting for the “Reds ruined Nick’s career” post…
You bought it up! BINGO!
Senzel had a promising future in baseball. Reds ruined his career, jerked him around, changed his position repeatedly, even acted like they were trying to teach him a lesson. It’s almost like he was chosen to fail.
The Woe Sox have pulled even with the Cubs !
… in the number of Amayas on the roster.
But can Astro do the can-can? Or can he can can?
What a dumpster fire, but Jerry-atric probably thinks he team is close to getting into the playoffs.
Not much of a point to bring up Ramos if Sosa is blocking him, I have no problem bringing guys up in a lost season BUT you better have them out there everyday, not getting into games here or there while the regular is getting a day off.. This club does not need to figure out who can pinch hit or sub for a day, they need to find out who is legit and who is not.
What what really changes next year? They need an entirely new roster. Infield, outfield, bullpen and starters. Impossible to do that in an offseason…
May we all find someone who believes in us the way the White Sox believe in Sammy Peralta.
Once upon a time, they actually sent this poo pile to the Arizona Fall League like he was a legit prospect.